Between a mathematician and a dancer

The on-going Cowbellpedia Mathematics Television Quiz Show has continued to generate big excitement as one of the contestants; Jessica Austine revealed last weekend that she draws her inspiration for Mathematics when she dances.

Austine, 13, a student of Federal Government Girls College, Owerri, Imo State explained that she loves dancing which inspires her to solve Mathematics questions.  “I love dancing greatly. It is my hobby. When I am not solving mathematics problems, I dance…This helps me greatly whenever I go back to my Mathematics,” she told journalists in Lagos last weekend.

In the sixth preliminary round, Austine was in the “ring” with Angelica Uzo of Loyola Jesuit, Abuja; Dennis Balogun of Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State; Tiffany Ekene of Graceville High School, Asaba, Delta State; Nankling Andrew of Baptist High School, Jos, Plateau State; and Noel Aliu of NYSC Secondary School, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State.

The soft spoken Austine who looks forward to contesting in the finals, expressed her wish to clinch the ultimate prize to honour her parents and her State. “I want to win this competition. It will be great if I do. My parents and my school will be very happy,” she said.

In the senior category of the same Group F preliminary rounds, Mahmud Lawal, who said he draws his own Mathematics inspiration from his grandfather scaled through to the semi-final stage.

He was joined by Kenechukwu Egbo of Marist Brothers High School, Aba, Abia State.

The duo slugged it out with Tenifayo Fagbemi of Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State; Chismag Nwajiaku of DSC Technical High School, Aladja, Delta State; Abdulalik Lawal of Caliphate International School, Gusau, Zamfara State; and Mukhtar Sani of Government Secondary School, Kaduna State.

Lawal, the son of a Banker expressed joy about his feat so far and prayed he gets the ultimate prize at the finals.

The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is One million naira and an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country. The teachers of the winning students in both the junior and senior categories will receive Four hundred thousand naira each.

The airing of the programme continues this weekend; AIT Network on Saturday, 7. 00p.m; NTA Onitsha, Sunday, 5. 00p.m; STV Jos, Sunday, 5.00 p.m.; NTA Kano, Saturday, 2.00 p.m.; and DSTV Channel 154 on Saturday, 9.00 p.m.

TVC, Lagos, Saturday 8.00p.m and CRBC Calabar, Saturday 7.00p.m have been added to the existing list of TV stations. You can visit www.cowbellpedia.ng for the full airing schedules.